Teeth cleaning unit



June 24, 1952 M. BOULICAULT TEETH CLEANING UNIT Filed Jan. 18, 1949 4 INVENTOR. B 1WARC/FL BOUL/CA ULT A 45; WM 1 Q AMJ ATTORNEY Patented June 24, 1952 UNITED STATES tarsal" OFFICE ZfitLM l TEETH CLEANING UNIT Marcel Boulicault, St. Louis, Mo.

Application January 18, 1949, Serial No. 71,513

Claims. 1

This invention relates to an improved teeth cleaning unit, and more particularly to a teeth Cleaning assembly wherein the tooth brush and all accessories necessary for the proper care of the teeth are assembled together in a compact and attractive unit which may be conveniently carried in the pocket or purse. This applica- ,tio is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 612,763, filed August 27, 1945, now Patent No. 2,468,732, dated May 3, 1945 Proper care of the teeth requires daily brushing and cleaning of the teeth which should be done after each meal. Such preferential care cannot be given to the teeth by most individuals since the necessary implements, such as the toothbrush and accessories used by such individual, are not ordinarily carried by the individual or otherwise are not conveniently available or accessible throughout the day.

In accordance with this invention, a teeth cleaning assembly is provided which presents in one compact, convenient and attractive unit, a replaceable toothbrush with the necessary comnlement of dentifrice supported by a dentifrice carrier sanitarily housed within a sealed compartment in the handle section of the unit. The" dentifrice carrier includes a dental floss compartment from which dental floss may be conveniently dispensed. A tubular cover section detachably secured to one end-of the handle section, provides a sanitary and dustproof compartment for housing and containing the brush bristles.

The cover section is provided with a compartment designed to contain moisture absorbent and disinfectant material which serves to attract and extract the moisture carried on the used brush housed therein in a manner to maintain the brush bristles in dry and disinfected condition. The complete unit, including the toothbrush and teeth-cleaning accessories, is constructed and assembled in such compact size and form that it may be conveniently carried in the pocket or nurse at all times' This improved unit is particularly designed for low cost manufacture and assembly from relatively few parts from plastic materials molded into exterior shapes to provide a unit of highly attractive appearance. The detachable sections and parts are connected together by sealing rings a manner to prevent the escape of moisture from the brush bristles to the exterior of the unit, assuring a dry and sanitary environment. The parts of the unit are so constructed as to permit convenient separation and attachment of the component parts both in assembly and in use.

This improved unit satisfies the most critical requirements of sanitation and provides a personal implement which encourages and makes convenient the proper cleaning and care of the teeth.

In order that a clear understanding of this invention may be had, reference is made to the accoinpanying drawing in which:

Fig. l is an elevational view of the 'fullyassembled teeth cleaning unit showing parts broken away to reveal certain structural details thereof.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the teeth cleaning unit showing all the parts thereof in assembled position.

Figs. 3 to 23 inclusive disclose the series of parts from which the teeth cleaning unit is assembled; Fig. 8 more particularly showing the dome shaped cap forming a part of the hollow cover section; Fig. 4 showing the perforated cover member for closing the open end of the dome shaped cap; Fig. 5 showing the tubular body of the cover sec tion; Fig. 6 showing the brush section; Fig. showing the hollow handle section and associated dentifrice dispenser; and Fig. 8 showing the cap closure for the exposed end of the dentifricedispenser.

Fig. 9 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the dental floss receiving cup inserted into the end of the dentifrice dispenser.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged cross sectional View of the handle section as the same would appear when viewed along the line l&--I0 of Fig. "7.

Fig. 11 is an elevational View showing the tubular body and head portion of the dentifrice dispenser and 12 is an elevational View of the dentifrice supporting sleeve designed to slidably telescope within the tubular body of the dentifrice dispenser shown in Fig. 11.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing and specification.

The improved teeth cleaning unit forming the subject matter of this invention generally comprises a one piece brush section I designed to be detachably secured to one end of a one piece hollow handle section 2. A hollow cover section 3 contains a brush compartment a designed to receive and enclose the brush section I. The lower end of the cover section 3 is designed to be detachably secured to the handle section at a point adjacent the base of the brush section I in a manner to provide a sealed connection. The hollow handle section! contains a compartment 11 designed to receive the tubular body of a dentifrice dispenser 4.

The dentifrice dispenser is formed from a one piece main section 5 presenting a tubular body portion 40 designed to slidably receive a removable dentifrice supporting sleeve 6. The tubular body 40 merges into a head portion 45 designed to be detachably secured to the lower end of the hollow handle section 2 in a manner to provide a leakproof closure therefor. The head portion 45 of the dentifrice dispenser has a hollow interior providing a compartment for dental floss. The dental floss is retained in compartment 0 by a one piece floss receiving cup I. The floss cup I is fully enclosed by a one piece closure cup 8 designed to be detachably secured to the head portion 45 in a manner to provide a sealing connection.

The closure section 3, as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, is formed in three parts, comprising a tubular brush container part 9, the upper end being closed by a dome shaped cap It having a compartment d designed to contain an agent for drying and sterilizing the brush bristles. The drying agent s is retained within the compartment d of cap III by a perforated insert member III which may be inserted into the open end of the dome shaped cap Ill.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 2 and 6. the brush section I comprises a stem portion II which may be formed of suitable plastic, to which two or more rows of brush bristles I2 are firmly secured. The lower end of the stem portion II is designed to taper in graceful curves to a flared skirt I3, and terminates in a plug portion I4 of generally cylindrical form. The plug portion I4 may be embraced by one or more rubber sealing rings I5, each of which may be inset into a circumferentially extending groove formed in the outer periphery of the plug portion. The plug portion I4 is designed to be removably inserted in the bore I6 formed in the end portion I! of the handle section 2. The rubber sealing gaskets I5 are designed to frictionally fit within the bore I6 in a manner to prevent the escape of moisture from the brush compartment a to the dentifrice compartment 2) of the handle section. The brush section I can nevertheless be removed when the bristles I2 are worn, and a new brush section substituted. The flared skirt I3, which caps the plug portion I4, presents a shoulder I8 which fits neatly against the end I9 of the hollow handle section 2. The brush stem II is of such length to permit convenient cleaning of the teeth without requiring insertion into the mouth of any appreciable part of the handle section 2.

The three parts which form the hollow closure section 3, as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, are desirably formed of suitable plastic materials. The interior of the tubular body part 9 desirably presents a smooth interior surface which may be substantially uniform in diameter. The lower end of the body part 9 is designed to snugly telescope over the exterior end portion ll of the handle section 2 in a manner to provide a snug fit. One or more sealing gaskets 2I may be circumferentially mounted on the end portion I! of the handle section to provide a frictional fit for the lower end of the body part 9 of the closure section 3, and in addition to seal the joint so that any moisture deposited in the tubular body part 9 by the moistened brush bristles I2 will not escape to the exterior of the teeth cleaning unit. The tubular body part 9 is of sufficient length and interior diameter to snugly receive the brush bristles I2, the stem portion I I the flared skirt portion I3 and the end portion 4 I I of the handle section, as shown more particularly in Fig. 2. The lower edge 22 of the tubular body part 9 of the closure section 3 is designed to snugly seat against an exterior shoulder 23 formed at the base of the end portion I! of the handle section.

The opposite upper ends of the tubular body part 9 is closed by the dome shaped closure cap I0 having a hollow dome shaped portion 25 and a depending flange 26 shaped to be snugly inserted into the upper end of the tubular body 9 of the brush containing closure member 3. The dome shaped portion 25 of the closure cap 9 provides a compartment d adapted to contain a drying and disinfecting agent s. The lower end of the dome shaped portion 25 is closed by a detachable closure plate It having a peripheral lip 21 which seats against the exterior edge 21' of the flange portion 26, the closure plate I9 being frictionally retained in position by the surrounding depending flange 26. The closure plate I9 is provided with a series of axial holes or perforations 28. providing communicating passageways between the drying and disinfecting compartment 11 and the brush compartment a. The flange portion 26 is designed to snugly telescope into the upper end of the tubular body part 9 and is desirably frictionally retained in position by a rubber sealing gasket 29 which may be partially inset into a shallow groove extending circumferentially around the outer periphery of the flange portion 26. Thus the dome shaped closure cap I0 may be detached, the closure plate I0 removed, and the drying and disinfecting agent s contained in the disinfecting compartment d removed and replenished. The sealing gasket 29 prevents the escape of moisture from the compartments 0. and d to the exterior of the teeth cleaning unit.

As shown more particularly in Figs. 1, 2 and 7, the one piece handle section 2 may be desirably formed of suitable plastic material and presents a tubular body 30 having a bore of uniform diameter which defines the dentifrice compartment b therein. The upper end of the tubular body 30 terminates in the end portion I'I over which the lower end of the tubular closure member 3 telescopes. The handle section 2 is open at its lower end and closed at its upper end when the plug portion I4 of the brush section I is inserted into the bore I6 thereof.

The dentifrice dispenser 4, as shown more particularly in Figs. 1, 2, 7 and 11 is desirably of the ejector type, adapted to house the dentifrice stick p. The one piece receiving sleeve 6 is designed to receive the lower end of the dentifrice stick :0, and may be desirably formed from suitable plastic material. The receiving sleeve 6 presents a tubular wall 35 which may have an inturned circumferentially extending lip 36 against which the end of the dentifrice stick :0 may seat. A stud 31 projects from the tubular wall of the receiver 6 to provide a projection for manipulating the receiver. The receiver 6 may be so inexpensively made as to be advantageously supplied as a component part of the dentifrice stick :2, to be thrown away when the dentifrice stick has been consumed.

The one piece main part 5 of the dentifrice dispenser 4 presents a protective tube portion 40 which extends from the head portion 45. The protective tube portion 49 has a diameter and length designed to snugly telescope into the dentifrice compartment b of the handle section 2. The protective tube 40 has a slit 4I extending longitudinally thereof through which the stud 31 of the receiver 6 mayiextend. The upper end of the slit 4| may be slightly contracted'by laterally extending lip portions .42 so as to prevent inadvertent removal of the receiver 5 as it slidably telescopes within the protective sleeve 40. The material from which the tubular protective sleeve All is made is sufliciently flexible to permit the projection 37 of the receiver 6 to be forced out of the upper end of the slit M, as illustrated more particularly in F gs. 11 and 12, and thus remove the sleeve ii.

The hollow head portion 45 is formed as an integral part of the protective tube id, and presents a closure wall 45 which closes the lower end of the protective tube 4a. The head portion 45 presents an overhanging boss 44 which may be provided With suitable knurling as to provide a firmfinger grasp. The boss 44 presents an inset shoulder 49 designed to snugly abut against the lower end 3! of the tubular handle section 2. The head portion 45, at a point adjacent the lower end of the protective tube portion All, is embraced by a rubber gasket 5t which provides a seal between the lower end of the handle section 2 and the head portion at of the dentifrice dispenser, thereby preventing the escape of moisture from the dentifrice compartment 1) to the exterior of the teeth cleaning unit. In addition, the gasket 52} serves as a frictional means to positively retain the dentifrice dispenser releasably attached to the handle section 2.

The head portion 55; of the dentifrice dispenser is also provided with a compartment c for the reception of dental floss which is separated from the dentifrice containing tube portion id by the partition wall 46. The compartment c is designed to receive a floss cup'i which be inexpensively made from extruded metal, the cup I presenting a tubular side wall 51 designed to frictionally telescope into the compartment 0. The floss containing cup 7 is provided with a rounded end Wall 52 which has a suitable thread. dispensing hole 53, and a thread cutting lip 5 formed by cutting an arcuate slit in the end wall portion 52 and bending the lip portion be slightly outward to present a relatively sharp arcuate cutting edge. The dental floss f may be wound on a small spool or rolled into a ball of a size to be snugly contained within the floss cup 7. The side wall 5! of the fioss cup '2 is frictionally retained within the compartment 0, with the rounded wall portion 52 thereof attractively projecting from the lower end of the head portion 45. Removal of the floss cup 7 for floss refilling purposes can thus be conveniently effected,

To prevent accidental removal of the floss cup 1, and to give the lower end of the teeth cleaning unit a finished appearance, a dome shaped closure cap 8 is provided, designed to telescope over the lower end of the head portion 45 shown in Fig. 2. The closure cap 8 is provided with a flange portion 55 defined by an inset shoulder 55 designed to snugly abut against the lower edge 51 of the head portion with the upper edge 53 of the flange portion 55 snugly abutting against the inset shoulder 53 which defines the lower edge of the boss M. A rubber sealing gasket 65:, circumferentially embracing the lower end of the head portion 125, serves to frictionally retain the closure cap 8 in detachably assembled position on the head portion 45. The closure cap 8 may nevertheless be easily removed to provide convenient access to the dental floss thread extending from the floss cup I. The outer circumference of the closure cap 8 may be provided with suitable knurling 5| to provide a convenient and decorative finger grasp to facilitate twisting removal and attachment of the closure cap 8 to the head portion A5.

This improved teeth cleaning unit can be made from relatively few parts designed for high speed, low cost manufacture and assembly. The brush section I can be economically manufactured by methods employed in the manufacture of tooth brushes, wherein the stem portion Ii, flared skirt portion [3 and plug portion Hi are formed from molded plastic, suitable shallow grooves being molded in the plug portion it onto which the rubber sealing rings i5 may be sprung.

The one piece handle section 2 may be formed from plastic tubing shaped to provide the head portion 11 and the tubular body portion 39, with the bore 55 formed in the head portion and grooves molded in the circumference of the head portion upon which the rubber sealing rings 2! may be sprung. The stem section II is assembled to the handle section 2 by merely inserting the plug portion [4 into the bore It.

The brush enclosing section 3 may be economically formed of three plastic parts. The tubular body part Q can be cut in desired lengths from plastic tubing, the dome shaped cap I!) and closure plate it can-be formed by simple molding operations. The rubber sealing ring 29 is sprung onto the flange portion 25 of the closure cap Ill, drying pellets inserted into the cap, and the perforated closure plate iii placed in position, whereupon the assembled closure acorn may be applied to the tubing portion 3.

The dentifrice dispenser ii is formed of two pieces of plastic. The one piece main section 5 comprising the head portion 65 integrally formed with the protective tube portion 49, is designed for convenient low cost molding. The dentifrice stick receiving sleeve 6 may comprise a short section of plastic tubing having a manipulating projection 31 molded integral therewith. If desired, the receiving sleeve 5 may be provided with aninturned lip 36 at one end thereof to provide a support for the dentifrice stick p.

The floss cup 7 may be punch formed of light gauge metal, with the floss thread hole 53 and the cutting lip 55 formed therein in the same operation. The floss cup I, loaded with a spool, may be quickly telescoped into the floss compartment c molded in the end of the head portion of the dentifrice carrier 5. The dome shaped closure Bis likewise adapted for economi cal molding and attachment to the head portion 4 .5 of the dentifrice carrier,

When this improved teeth cleaning unit is to be used, the cover section 3 is removed from its telescoped position by exerting a twisting pull thereon in a manner to detach it from the end portion ll of the handle section The denti frice carrier 4 is removed from the handle section 2 by exerting a twisting pull on the knurled head portion so as to remove the dentifrice carrier 4 from the lower end of the handle section 2. The dentifrice supporting sleeve 3 can then be manipulated by the thumb applied to the projection 31 so as to project the end of the dentifrice stick 1) a sufiicient extent to permit immediate application of the desired quantity of dentifrice upon the brush bristles l2 which may be stroked over the exposed end of the dentifrice stick. The protective portion of the 7 dentifrice carrier may then be reinserted into the handle section 2 and the teeth conveniently brushed. When brushing of the teeth has been completed, the closure section 3 is telescoped over the brush section l and the cleaning unit put away in the pocket or purse.

Any moisture which may be carried by the brush bristles I2 is gradually withdrawn from the brush compartment a and the brush bristles l2 by the moisture attracting action of the drying granules s contained in the acorn head of the closure section. This moisture flows from the compartment a through the pin holes 28 in the closure plate I0 directly into the compartment at which contains the drying granules. The moisture drawing effect of the drying granules s may be facilitated by providing one or more small pin holes 32 in the tubular body portion 9 through which air may be drawn from the exterior. A vent hole 33 may also be provided in the closed end of the closure cap it through which air that has been subjected to the drying action of the drying granules may escape.

No moisture from the brush compartment a can enter the dentifrice containing compartment 1) as these compartments are sealed from one another by the plug l4. Nor can any moisture which may become deposited on the dentifrice stick p escape through to exterior of the unit since the dentifrice carrier 4 is fitted to the tubular portion 30 of the handle section 2. Numerous tests have demonstrated that, irrespective of the moisture which may be carried by the brush bristles [2, or may be deposited on the dentifrice stick 1), this moisture does not noticeably escape to the exterior of the closed unit. Thus a high degree of sanitation and dryness is attained, without danger that undesirable moisture may become deposited on the exterior of the unit.

Should a section of dental floss be desired, the closure cap 8 may be quickly removed from the head portion 45 by a twisting pull, thereby making readily available the desired section length of floss, which can be readily withdrawn from the floss cup 1 and severed by the cutting lip 54. Except when a section of floss is desired, the closure cap 8 remains attached to the dentifrice carrier as a unitary part thereof.

The main parts of the unit above described are made, and can be economically and easily formed from metal and/or plastic resins into numerous and attractive streamlined shapes in selected colors as may be desired. The parts may be detachably connected by sealing gaskets, formed threads, or by snug telescoping interfits.

This hygienic instrument promotes and encourages frequent cleaning of the teeth, which is a necessary requisite to oral hygiene. All necessary implements for the proper care of the teeth are compacted within this attractive unit, and the implements are maintained in fresh and sterilized condition for individual and personal use. The dentifrice compartment b is of generous size and designed to contain a selected dentifrice sufficient for several days use. The dentifrice sticks or cartridges may be supplied or sold in dozen lots, packed in a convenient carton, and from which supply the user may periodically replenish the dentifrice as his needs require.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed herein, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes 8 may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A teeth cleaning unit including in combination, a brush section and a hollow handle section, said brush section comprising a brush stem supporting the brush bristles, said brush stem having a plug portion at one end thereof insertable into a bore formed in the end portion of said hollow handle section, a closure section having a compartment adapted to telescopically receive said brush section, means for detachably securing one end of said closure section to the end portion of said handle section, said means including a pair of spaced sealing gaskets extending circumferentially around said handle end portion designed to telescopically receive the open end of said hollow closure section and frictionally retain said closure section detachably secured to said handle section and hermetically seal the attached end thereof, and a pair of spaced sealing gaskets extending circumferentially around said plug portion frictionally retaining said brush section secured to the end portion of said hollow handle section and sealing said hollow handle section from the entry of moisture deposited on the brush section.

2. A teeth cleaning unit including in combination, a brush section and a handle section, a hollow closure section comprising a tubular part open at one end thereof and having a cap part removably secured to the other end thereof, said cap part having a removable dividing partition inset therein dividing said closure section into a brush receiving compartment and a drying compartment for a drying agent wholly contained in said cap part, said cap part being fillable with the drying agent upon removal of the cap part from said tubular part and removal of the dividing partition from said cap part, means for detachably securing the open end of said closure section to said handle section when said brush section is housed within the brush receiving compartment thereof, said dividing partition having perforations therein through which moisture in said brush compartment is drawn into said drying compartment, a pin hole in the wall of said tubular part through which air may enter said brush compartment, and a pin hole in the end wall of said cap part through which the dried air processed in said drying compartment may escape.

3. A teeth cleaning unit including in combination, a brush section and a handle section, a hollow closure section comprising a tubular part open at one end thereof and providing a brush receiving compartment, a cap part removably secured to the other end of said tubular part, said cap part having a, removable dividing partition inset therein defining a drying compartment for a drying agent wholly contained in said cap part, said cap part being fillable with drying agent upon removal of the cap part from said tubular part and removal of the dividing partition from said cap part, means for detachably securing the open end of said tubular part to said handle section when said brush section is housed within the brush receiving compartment thereof, said dividing partition having perforations therein through which moisture in said brush compartment is drawn into said drying compartment, a pin hole in the tubular wall of said tubular part through which air may enter said brush compartment, and a pin hole in the end wall of said cap part through which the dried air processed in said drying compartment may escape.

4. A teeth cleaning unit including in combination, a hollow handle section, a brush section attached to one end of the hollow handle section, said hollow handle section being open at the opposite end thereof and having a compartment for the reception of dentifrice, a removable dentifrice dispenser having a dentifrice receiving casing adapted to telescope into the dentifrice compartment of said hollow handle section, said dentifrice dispenser having a head portion presenting a transverse end wall as a part thereof providing a closure for the lower end of said handle section, said head portion having an outwardly open socket cavity therein, a removable floss receiving cup having a tubular side wall removably telescoped into said socket cavity to provide a floss compartment, said cup having a rounded end wall presenting a floss extracting opening therein, and a dome shaped closure cap detachably secured to said head portion and enclosing the exposed bottom wall of said cup.

5. A teeth cleaning unit including in combination, a hollow handle section, a brush section attached to one end of said hollow handle section, said hollow handle section being open at the opposite end thereof and having a compartment for the reception of dentifrice, a removable dentifrice dispenser having a dentifrice receiving casing adapted to telescope into the dentifrice compartment of said hollow handle section, said dentifrice dispenser having a head portion presenting a transverse end wall as a part thereof providing a closure for the lower end of the handle section, a. dental stick supporting sleeve telescoping into the dentifrice receiving casing of said dentifrice dispenser, a guide and manipulating lug projecting from said sleeve through an elongated slot in the tubular wall of said dentifrice receiving casing, said slot being of con- 10 tracted width at the upper end thereof through which said projecting lug may be forced to remove said sleeve from said casing, said head portion having an outwardly open socket cavity therein providing a dental floss receiving compartment, a dental floss receiving cup removably seating within said compartment, a removable closure cap for enclosing said floss cup, and means associated with said head portion for removably securing said closure cap to said head portion.

MARCEL BOULICAULT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 144,275 Vandeventer Mar. 26, 1946 799,747 Martin Sept. 19, 1905 1,062,961 Funcke May 27, 1913 1,186,115 Miller June 6, 1916 1,212,335 Feinberg Jan. 16, 1917 1,260,139 Brown Mar. 19, 1918 1,314,646 Hartman et a1 Sept. 2, 1919 1,336,390 Sargery et al Apr. 6, 1920 1,357,285 Glatt Nov. 2, 1920 1,386,806 Schmerler Aug. 9, 1921 1,473,766 Healy Nov. 13, 1923 1,616,580 Kerris Feb. 8, 1927 1,642,620 Merrill Sept. 13, 1927 2,233,522 Fickle Mar. 4, 1941 2,311,760 Kells Feb. 23, 1943 2,317,111 Perwas Apr. 20, 1943 2,391,371 Watt Dec. 18, 1945 2,450,002 Jackson Sept. 18, 1948 2,455,600 Molumby et al Dec. 7, 1948 2,468,732 Boulicault May 3, 1949 2,468,733 Boulicault May 3, 1949 

